by Michael G. Mickey
(2-12-07)

In Ezekiel 38, we are told of a yet-to-occur event commonly referred to as the Gog-Magog invasion which will see a gigantic force of Muslim nations and Russia boldly assert themselves against the nation of Israel, in an attempt to wipe her from the face of the earth. Among the nations which will be involved in this attack will be Russia and Iran, who are presently in alliance against the West. Hopefully, this information comes as no surprise to the West. It is, after all, the Russians who are most to blame for Iran obtaining the ability it presently is utilizing to develop the materials necessary to manufacture nuclear weapons.

In similar fashion, it is almost certain that Russia is playing a prominent role in helping Hezbollah re-arm itself in Lebanon where the terrorist group is receiving "rockets, advanced anti-tank missiles, command-and-control systems, training [and] finance," as seen in a Fox News story. There have even been concerns that the Russians are monitoring Israeli troop movements and providing Hezbollah with intelligence in that regard, as seen in a Jerusalem Post article.

Meanwhile, as seen in a Playfuls.com article, Arab experts are indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin is restoring Russia's role in the Middle East - and we all know that can't be a good thing, at least those of us who remember what the Cold War was like with Russia and the United States playing a nuclear version of cat-and-mouse.

As bad as it is to see the Russian bear awakening from its slumber, what does it tell us? That Bible prophecy is true and the stage is being set before our very eyes for Gog-Magog to occur - and more.

Russia, perhaps envisioning that a peace agreement that would lower Israel's guard would be beneficial to them and their Arab allies, is calling for an international peace conference to be held concerning Middle East peace that would include countries in the region in the peace process. This they do while arming Israel's enemies to the hilt! What does this tell us about Bible prophecy? That war could break out in a moment when everyone is dancing in the streets shouting, "Peace and safety! Peace and safety!"

1st Thessalonians 5:2-3: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

LET'S GATHER OUR THOUGHTS FOR A MOMENT...

We know Russia's influence is growing in the Middle East and that Iran is expecting the Islamic Messiah or "Mahdi" to arrive soon to herald a new era of Islamic dominance around the world. We also have heard that Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejdad, hopes to play a prominent role in bringing that about through war, but there are other forces at work as well - forces desiring to bring a real and working peace to the region.

One obstacle that has caused much division in the Middle East is Israel's separation barrier. Interestingly, we see in Ezekiel 38 that the separation barrier is going to come down before the Gog-Magog attack occurs. Could that take place? Absolutely, as we see in a Peninsula Online article, which quotes Israel's Shimon Peres as saying the following, almost prophetically (emphasis added mine):

The contentious issue of the wall between the West Bank and Israel was called “temporary”. Said Peres:“We were forced to do it. Since we built the wall, attacks came down by 80 per cent. Once there is peace, who needs walls?”

Let's say, for a moment, hypothetically of course, that an international peace conference is called for by the United Nations as Russia hopes will occur. Couple that with the fact that we've seen indications that the European Union, using its newly-formed EU rapid reaction force to do so, may be willing to take possession of Judea and Samaria until a Palestinian state can be created and you have the potential for a peace covenant to form and be confirmed (or made strong) in fulfillment of Daniel 9:27. Not only that, such an event could lead to the dismantling of the separation barrier, bringing us closer to the Gog-Magog invasion! I'm not, by any means, stating that's what is going to take place but the possibility definitely exists - to the extent it almost seems that a natural progression toward the fulfillment of Bible prophecy is unfolding before our eyes!

The 70th Week

But what of the seven-year Tribulation Period time line? There are those who have suggested (and I suppose still are) that the Tribulation Period started on 1-1-07 when the EU Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) renewed for another EU budgetary cycle of seven years. In spite of this, we've seen nothing take place of any dramatic significance to demonstrate that the advent of Antichrist, symbolized by the opening of the first seal judgment described in Revelation 6, has taken place. Everyone knows by now I highly doubt that the ENP is the peace covenant of Antichrist (at least now) for this reason - and one other one. The Church is still here!

So what do I suspect could take place that would change everything in the Middle East, allowing the EU to get its yet-to-be-revealed wicked foot in the door in a truly successful (or seemingly so) peacemaking effort in the Holy Land? Again, this is a hypothetical only, but what if Israel was presented with a conditional opportunity to join the European Union at some point in the future in return for making concessions designed to bring about peace with its enemies?

In 2005, Michael Shtender-Auerbach of The Century Foundation wrote the following:

For Israel, EU membership would not only provide a strong security guarantee, but would afford them all of the economic advantages of the vast EU market. For the security establishment, it could possibly mean even opening the door to membership in NATO. The EU and Israel already have a formal Cooperation Agreement—ratified five years ago by the Knesset, Israel's parliament— and this relationship has influenced economic, political and cultural exchanges. As recently as last week, the Council of European Ministers voted in favor of allowing Israel to join the Euro-Mediterranean cumulation of origin zone, which will have enormous financial benefits for the Israeli textile industry.

The European consensus on what Israelis and Palestinians need to do for peace is well known. To gain entry into the EU, Israel would need to negotiate a peace agreement with the Palestinians largely consistent with Security Council resolution 242-almost certainly similar to the terms proposed in the Geneva Initiative—and to settle its border dispute with Syria in the Golan.

While Michael may or may not have been correct that an Israeli EU membership could turn things around in the Middle East, oddly enough the concept of Israel getting closer ties to the revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy is in the news again, as seen in a Ynetnews.com article entitled "Israel to request upgrade in EU standing." Am I the only one who realizes there will be great big strings attached to anything of that sort taking place, especially at this juncture in human history? Something for us to keep an eye on at the very least!

And then there's the Temple Mount and Jerusalem to consider. As most of the world presently realizes, there are many calling for Israel to relinquish Palestinian-controlled areas of Jerusalem in return for peace. Not only that, an archaeologist is stating that he has found evidence to suggest that the Second Temple stood in an area of the Temple Mount other than over the rock the Muslim Dome of the Rock is now sitting. What does that indicate? A peace deal could potentially be reached wherein the Jewish people could rebuild their Holy Temple on the Temple Mount or events could occur in the prophetic future beyond the implementation of the peace covenant of Antichrist that would lead the Jewish people to return to the roots of their faith! Are all the pieces of the puzzle on God's table now or what?

Presently tensions in the Middle East are so thick you could cut the air with a knife and yet, in spite of it all, we see there is potential on many, many fronts for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled so dramatically that one wouldn't dare insist upon resisting God's call to salvation, which can only be obtained by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As the old song goes, "What can take away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"

For the Christian who reads this and is downtrodden, weary and broken in spirit, open your eyes to the hope that is before us that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to call us from a world that has forgotten its God is at the very door! Lift up your head! Your redemption draweth nigh!

For the person who refuses to accept the reality that the gospel of Jesus Christ and the prophetic Word of God is as certain as the rising and setting of the sun on a daily basis, it is time for you to open your eyes! Jesus Christ loves you and wants to save you from your sins, having paid the price for them on your behalf on the cross of Calvary. All you need to do to be part of God's family and avoid all the terrors that are to come upon the world, potentially very soon, is simply trust in Him as your Lord and Savior. If you ignore these words I'm writing and the Rapture of the Church occurs, leaving you here to endure the Tribulation Period to come, all I can say to you is you've been both welcomed to join the family of God and warned that your refusal to do so may come at a very high cost! The decision is yours to make, but bear the following in mind at all times: What events in the Middle East are telling us is that Jesus Christ is coming soon! They're telling us as plainly as it could ever be told, at least on this side of the Rapture of the Church!

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